Mind & Heart Newsletter: November 2010
An update from Whitworth University President Beck A. Taylor
I am now the official and duly installed 18th president of Whitworth University! Even though I've technically been in the role since July 1, Whitworth's inaugural festivities last month made it official, I suppose. Some have joked that I can't run away now. Several others have mischievously suggested that the period between July 1 and Oct. 15 was really a test period to see if things would "work out." Well, I will let others decide about how well things have worked out, but I can tell you that I am absolutely thrilled to be here. I have never been more excited about Whitworth and its promising future than I am right now as I write this. What an amazing community, dedicated to learning and to the cause of Christ. Julie, the kids and I are settling into Hawthorne House, and, although we haven't quite found our "routine" (does that even exist?), our family is doing great. Thanks to so many of you who have offered prayers of support to us during our first months in Spokane.
Inauguration Week was a wonderful celebration of Whitworth and its enduring mission of mind and heart. In a series of events that culminated with the inauguration ceremony in a packed fieldhouse, we explored what it means to be a "community of courage." Inauguration Week events challenged faculty, staff, students and the larger Whitworth and Spokane communities to address society's most important issues with the intellectual rigor and love of Christ that have always been Whitworth hallmarks. Guest speakers and artists highlighted our week's activities. It was great to see that many alumni, local community members and parents (who were in town for Parents' Weekend) made an effort to attend at least one of the week's presentations. I was so grateful that former presidents Bill Robinson, Art De Jong, Bob Mounce, and Phil Eaton, '65, were all able to participate in the inaugural ceremony!
I encourage you to watch or listen to some or all of the Inauguration Week events online. Audio and video recordings of most of the events are available on our inauguration website at www.whitworth.edu/inauguration. One final note: I asked my daughter Lauren to identify her favorite part of the inauguration ceremony, and she replied that she loved the choral music and the parade of flags carried by our international students. Nice. I next asked her to name her least favorite part. She said, "Your long speech." You've been officially forewarned.
Academics
This fall, faculty members are presenting their important research to colleagues around the region and nation. Here are the names of a few, along with the titles of their presentations: Drew Budner and Deanna Ojennus (Chemistry), "Service-Learning in Chemistry at Whitworth," to the Washington College Chemistry Teachers Association; Andy Hogue (Political Science), "The Changing Landscape of Religion in Presidential Elections," to the Pacific Northwest Political Science Association; Heather Rogers and Margie La Shaw (Economics & Business), "Equipping Accounting Majors for the Marketplace," to the Christian Business Faculty Association; Ginny Whitehouse (Communication Studies), "The Power of Tank Man vs. Neda: How New Media Iconic Images Create Ethical Connections," to the Association of Educators in Journalism and Mass Communication.
Three faculty members are engaged in sabbatical research this fall. Lyle Cochran (Math) is writing the first interactive and electronic version of a calculus textbook. Kamesh Sankaran (Physics) is spending a semester at Princeton examining how engineers and scientists can play a more active role in the formation of public policy regarding space exploration. Bendi Schrambach (French) is composing the first English translation of Agrippa D'Aubigné's Les Tragiques (1577), an epic poem representing the swan song of Reformed theology in French literature. And Doug Sugano (English) is editing several collections of correspondence written by Japanese Americans and Anglo-Americans who were either interned or incarcerated during World War II. Whitworth is happy to extend these important times of reflection, renewal and scholarship to our dedicated scholar-teachers. Contrary to what some might think, a sabbatical is not a walk in the park – these faculty members are working hard to improve their teaching and contribute to their respective fields of study. Of course, we'll look forward to getting them back in the classroom!
We happily welcomed a large class of new faculty members this fall, including Dean of the School of Global Commerce & Management Bob Beatty, Larry Burnley (History), Janine Darragh (Education), Nate King (Philosophy), Jonathan Moo (Theology), Allison Olzendam (Education), Markus Ong (Physics), Amy Rice (Library), Matt Silvers (Health Science) and Ed Walker (Computer Science). The collective contributions these new colleagues will make on our campus will be impressive.
We also greeted new visiting professors Tricia Duffey (Chemistry), Michael Fulton, Ryan Peterson and Jose Rojas (Spanish), Nicole Sheets (English), and Ross Watts (History), along with our new executive-in-residence, Duff Bergquist (School of Global Commerce & Management), who brings a wealth (I'm not above a good pun) of experience managing equity trading in Europe for top financial institutions such as Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and Lehman Brothers.
We currently have students studying in Costa Rica (in our new Costa Rica Center and also on exchange), Australia, China, Denmark, France, Northern Ireland, Spain, The Netherlands, the Czech Republic, and, for the first time, Estonia. Crossing borders, geographically and culturally, is so important for our students and faculty.
On campus we welcome exchange students and new matriculating international students from Botswana, Bulgaria, China, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Kenya, Korea, Malawi, Madagascar, The Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. Whitworth currently boasts students from 26 different countries, and students from each country carried their respective flags at the beginning of the inauguration ceremony last month. It was very moving.
Alumni/Parents/Events
Parents, we hope you've received final-exam survival kit order forms in the mail by now. Students love getting goodies and packages from their loved ones. The office of alumni & parent relations is taking orders for these treats until Nov. 17. The cost is $20 per kit, and this year there is a fruit-treat option. All proceeds benefit the scholarship fund for children of Whitworth graduates. To order online, visit www.whitworth.edu/finalexamkit. Kits will be handed out during Finals Week, Dec. 14-17.
Taylor Tour Time! On the heels of a fantastic Inauguration Week, I'm anxious to hit the road with Director of Alumni & Parent Relations and Annual Giving Aaron McMurray, '95, for a series of regional receptions to meet alumni, parents and friends of Whitworth. Registration is open for the first Taylor Tour event, in Seattle, on Sunday, Dec. 5, immediately following the Christmas Festival Concert at First Presbyterian Church. For more information and to register, go to www.whitworth.edu/taylortour. Future stops on the Taylor Tour include Washington, D.C., on Jan. 30, Portland on Feb. 5, Denver on Feb. 10, Colorado Springs on Feb. 11, La Cañada, Calif., on March 19, Irvine on March 20, the Bay Area on March 26, and Honolulu on May 22. Whew!
Spaces are going fast for the May 2011 Core 650 tour to Turkey for alumni, parents and friends with Professor of Theology Jim Edwards, '67. Turkey Tour/Taylor Tour – as long as Taylor isn't confused for a turkey, I'll feel good about things. Seriously, based on all the great things I've heard about the last trip Jim led to Turkey, I'm not surprised this is a hot ticket. Details are available at www.whitworth.edu/turkey2011.
The Arts
Whitworth's amazing singers and instrumentalists are preparing for the Whitworth Christmas Festival Concert, Heaven and Nature Sing, in the following venues: Dec. 4, 7 p.m., First Presbyterian Church of Bellevue; Dec. 5, 3 p.m., First Presbyterian Church of Seattle; Dec. 10, 8 p.m., and Dec. 11, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., First Presbyterian Church of Spokane. Tickets are $18 regular admission and $15 students/seniors (62-plus); they're available at www.whitworth.edu/musictickets or on campus at the info desk in the HUB.
Marc A. Hafso (Music) will serve as guest conductor at the 17th Annual Bangkok International Choir Festival Gala Concert.Marc will work with high school choirs from Bangkok Patana School, International School Bangkok, International School Kuala Lumpur, New International School Thailand, Regent's International School, and Shrewsbury International School. He will also direct a massed choir of 200 singers.
The Whitworth Wind Symphony will present its fall concert, Wild Nights!, on Sunday, Nov. 14, at 3 p.m. in Cowles Memorial Auditorium. The program will include the Whitworth premiere of David Maslanka's Tears, his response to the injustices suffered by the people of West Africa under colonialism, as well as Frank Ticheli's Wild Nights!, inspired by one of Emily Dickenson's poems. Cost is $5; students and seniors (62-plus) will be admitted free.
Miscellaneous
A few weeks ago we hosted a meeting of the Higher Education Leadership Group, which comprises presidents of Spokane's five colleges and universities as well as senior executives from 15 regional businesses. Founded by the Spokane Chamber of Commerce (now merged with the Economic Development Corporation as Greater Spokane Incorporated), HELG works to ensure that Spokane's higher education institutions are meeting the current and emerging needs of the business community. As we work our way out of the recession, this kind of collaboration is crucial. And Whitworth is positioned to play a greater role in the community than ever before.
I recently spent some time with Gary Verbrugge on the beautiful Scotia Valley property that his family has pledged to donate to Whitworth for the study of biology, conservation and environmental science. Gary eagerly pointed out the meadow flanking the Little Spokane River, where native plants and shrubs have been planted to restore habitat destroyed over the past 50 years. Whitworth students and faculty are conducting research to track the return of birds and animals to the area, and many other research projects are envisioned for the future. I don't know of a single other small, private university in the country that has a resource like this one. Thank you, Verbrugges!
Last week I visited the great students of the Whitworth Phonathon as they called our alumni, donors and friends to provide updates about the university and to ask for financial support. What a fantastic group of ambassadors! I hope you'll take the time to visit with these students when they call. And please consider making a gift, even a modest one, to support our students. One of my priorities is to raise the culture of philanthropy in the Whitworth community. A Whitworth education has always been underwritten in part by generous donors. Such donors are needed now more than ever, as fewer foundations support Christian organizations, as public financial aid resources shrink, and as our capital and program needs expand. Students equipped with a Whitworth education to honor God, follow Christ and serve humanity are a great investment. Thank you!
Resources
Because this space is so small, all alumni recently received, or will soon receive, a letter from me that explains our opportunity to strengthen the future of Whitworth. Everyone who receives Mind & Heart is valued as a member of this community, and I want to assure you that my role as president is one that fosters community in ways that also benefit our students. One of the best ways we can engage as members of the Whitworth community is to support The Whitworth Fund on an annual basis. To put it simply, Whitworth needs more alumni, parents and friends to join us in these efforts. Many of you already know how much that support helps Whitworth, but you can look forward to hearing more about what is happening here as a result of your gifts, as well as what it truly means to be part of this community. You'll see some gift envelopes in the coming months. Of course, you don't have to use all of them, but please consider acting on one of them soon (or give online atwww.whitworth.edu/give).
Student Life
October was Music Madness Month at Whitworth as Pierre Biscaye, ASWU's activities coordinator, brought renowned bands such as Classic Crimes, Barcelona, Fun, and Steel Train to campus. Parents' Weekend brought 700 visitors to campus as everyone celebrated the inaugural festivities, the theatre production of Once Upon a Mattress (which was so much fun), mini-college presentations by faculty and staff, and the Pirate Idol Lunch featuring the Jubilation Dancers, campus band Mawinger, singer Jesse MacDonald, and the Luau Dancers. The month concluded with Fall Break, during which several students participated in Urban Plunge to learn first-hand about homelessness, poverty, addiction and other challenges of life in Spokane's downtown.
Sports
The cross country teams are heading into the championship phase of their season. The Pirates are considered among the favorites in both the men's and women's races at the Northwest Conference championships in Tacoma this weekend.
The golf teams completed their fall schedules at the NWC Fall Classics. The women finished second, behind nationally ranked George Fox, shooting a season-best 320 in difficult conditions during the first round. Emily Guthrie took second place individually. The men slipped to fourth place in the final standings, but they have a chance to make up ground in the spring.
The football team is currently 4-3. The Bucs went five weeks (Sept. 25-Oct. 30) between home games, due to a wacky schedule this fall. The Pirate offensive line, led by Emilio Sulpizio and Zak Richardson, has played very well, and the defense is getting great contributions from Paul Werhane and Jeff Erlenmeyer.
Volleyball is having its best season since 2005. The Pirates are 13-6 overall and 10-2 in the NWC, only one game out of first place. Bree Riddle leads the NWC in assists, and Kaimi Rocha leads the conference in kills.
The men's soccer team is 8-5-2 overall. Though the Pirates won't win a fourth straight NWC championship this fall, the team can still finish well and build momentum for next season. Kyle Novak has stepped in for the injured Brian Sherpe as goalkeeper and has played very well.
Women's soccer is heading to the conclusion of another strong season with a record of 11-5-1. Sarah Berentson, Molly Moore and Cory Druffel lead the team in scoring, with four goals apiece.
The swimming teams kick off their season this weekend. The Pirate men and women are defending NWC champions, and both are riding impressive consecutive-dual-meet wins.
Closing Thoughts
In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Paul exhorts each of us to "Be joyful always; pray continuously; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." In a season that calls us to thanks-giving, let us all abound in the joy of our Creator, let us remember to pray fervently for those people and institutions we love (and even those we don't), and let us give thanks for God's bounty and blessings that are poured out so generously into our lives. I am thankful for you. I know you join me in being thankful for Whitworth.
